Session 6 - Revelation 2:18-29
Thyatira - The corrupt church
(2: 18a)
“To the angel (messenger) of the church in Thyatira write:”
Thyatira (thygater ) meaning daughter.
Named so by Seleucus I Nicator after being informed of his daughter’s birth.
the city
Thyatira lay at the junction of three main roads leading to Pergamos, Sardis, and Smyrna and
was therefore an important military outpost. It had been conquered by many including the
Persians and Alexander the Great. After Alexanders death it was under the control of Lysimachus and in 301 BC. Lysimachus was defeated by his rival Seleucus I (Nicator) and Thyatira
became part of Syria. It was finally conquered by Rome in 190 BC.
The city became a well-known center for trade guilds which became the primary hub of
society there. They were the “trade unions” of the time. In much the same way as Caesar
worship, guild members had to pay homage to and worship the patron deity of the guild to
which they belonged. It’s main industry was the production of wool and purple dye and they
were the leaders of the indigo trade. More guilds were known in Thyatira than any other
contemporary city in the Roman province of Asia with trades such as: wool-workers, linenworkers, makers of outer garments, dyers, leather-workers, tanners, potters, bakers, slavedealers, and bronze-smiths. Lydia (Acts 16:14,15), who lived in Philippi, was from Thyatira
and was a dealer in the indigo trade.
Thyatira worshipped (along with Apollo) Ashtoreth who, by the Greeks, was believed to be a
virgin and a protector of young maidens in addition to a goddess of childbirth. Hislop also
connects this goddess with the Babylonian Semiramis, and through her, to a religion of
Mother goddess/Child-god worship that was almost universal throughout the ancient world.
It Satanic influences had saturated the sinful idolatry of the ancient Jews and is what Both
Ezekiel and Jeremiah warned the Israelites about (Ezek. 8:14 “weeping for Tammuz”; Jer. 7:18
offering cakes to the “queen of heaven”; Jer. 44:25 .... to burn incense to the queen of heaven,
and to pour out drink offerings to her). for further study @ http://www.barr-family.com/godsword/queen.htm
The triple gate of Thyatira.
Church ruins
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Session 6 - Revelation 2:18-29
the church
There is not much mentioned about the founding of the church in Thyatira and it is presumed
that it too was founded as a result of the ministry of Paul at Ephesus. During Paul’s ministry
at Philippi, Lydia was converted and as a result the members of her household were too (Acts
16:14,15). It can is probable that she and her family were involved at the church there.
The title of Christ
(2: 18b)
"The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished
bronze, says this:”
Here Christ is speaking to His ultimate authority as our holy God. This is the only place in
Revelation where Christ refers to Himself as “the Son of God” and is not one of the titles
given in chapter 1. His eyes of fire are able to discern the righteous from the unrighteous.
Although our Lord is merciful and gracious, He desires us to be holy as He is holy (Mt 5:48;
1Pe 1:15,16) and the seriousness that is to be extended toward the holiness of God is
displayed in no greater way than when He uses the sin of Ananias and Sapphira as an
example to the early church to set the tone (Acts 5:1-11).
Fire also speaks of purity, but the progression of impurity seems to have reached a pinnacle
here in Thyatira. Smyrna had faced persecution from the “synagogue of Satan”(2:9),
Pergamum compromised with “Satan’s throne” (2:13) and had tolerated those who taught
evil things and now in Thyatira a great part of the church itself has known the “deep things of
Satan”(2:24). This is in stark contrast to what Christ’s intention is for His church as laid out in
Ephesians:
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He
might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to
Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy
and blameless.”
Eph 5: 25-27 (NASB)
His feet of burnished bronze are symbolic of His purity and righteousness as the foundation on
which believers stand and that under which iniquity is trampled:
"From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule
them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.”
Rev 19:15 (NASB)
Just as this letter would have been a sobering wake up call to the church in Thyatira, it should
be a warning to all believers. No Christian is exempt from Christ’s discipline:
"OR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON
WHOM HE RECEIVES." It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what
son is there whom {his} father does not discipline?” Heb 12: 6-7 (NASB)
"For {it is} time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if {it} {begins} with us first, what
{will be} the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”
1 Pet 4:17 (NASB)
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Session 6 - Revelation 2:18-29
The commendation
(2: 19)
“ I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your
deeds of late are greater than at first.”
Unlike Ephesus, the love of the faithful at Thyatira was commended. This was a genuine love
for God as it manifested itself in faith (Pistis meaning fidelity), service and perseverance and it
seemed to be growing in consistency.
The concern
(2: 20-23)
“ But I have {this} against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a
prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit {acts
of} immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 'I gave her time to repent, and she does
not want to repent of her immorality. 'Behold, I will throw her on a bed {of sickness,} and
those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds.
And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who
searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.”
The danger mounted up against this church is from within as it failed to purge out of her
midst the idolatrous teachings of a particular woman and those who followed her. Like in the
warnings to the other churches, these false teachings led many in the congregation to practice
such depravity that they were submersing themselves in “the deep things of Satan” (v.24).
This woman was probably much like an astrologer of today as she called herself a prophetess
and was clearly not a believer as she is not addressed as one of the “bond-servants” that she
was “leading astray”. Her sin had been addressed previously as she had been given “space to
repent”, but did not. Scripture gives specific warning to those who are particularly responsible for leading others astray:
"but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to
have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. "Woe to the
world because of {its} stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that
man through whom the stumbling block comes!” Mat 18:6-7 (NASB)
The use of the word “behold” is indicative of the fact that judgement on the woman is now
passed because she did not want to repent. Therefore she would be thrown on a “bed of
sickness” which in the original was simply “thrown on a bed” which most likely represents
death and hell. “Those who commit adultery with her” will be purged by severe distress or
trouble, sent by the Lord Himself, unless they “repent of their deeds”.
The “children” of Jezebel were spiritual, not physical. and were promoting the same false
doctrines as she was. But they were apparently not at the point of receiving judgement yet.
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Session 6 - Revelation 2:18-29
Jezebel in the OT
Jezebel was the daughter of Eth-Baal, King of Sidon, Priest of Astarte. He was the murderer
of his predecessor, Pheles, whom he killed to seize the throne. She married King Ahab to
seal a profitable trade alliance between Israel and Phoenicia. Jezebel sought to exterminate
prophets of YHWH (1 Kgs 18:13). The queen is running things; of all the women seen in
the Old Testament, none was more cunning or more daring or more unscrupulous...she
obtained lands through “inquisition.” The incident of Naboth’s Vineyard (1 Kgs 21) is a
vivid picture of the medieval church for a thousand-year period, including the Dark Ages.
Worshippers of Baal and Astarte (originated in Babylon), she and King Ahab ushered in
the worst period in OT (1 Kgs 16:30,33)
- Chuck Missler Revelation commentary
a summary of Naboth’s vineyard
King Ahab lusts after Naboth’s vineyard (something not his own).
Queen Jezebel arranges an Inquisition (false witnesses; condemnation, and execution).
Naboth’s vineyard seized for the king.
Naboth’s heirs also slain.
The account of Jezebels destruction can also be found in 1 Kgs 21.
Christ knows where our affections lie as He “searches the minds and hearts”. This is a direct
reference to the deity of Christ as these were familiar OT terms given to the Father (1Chr
28:9; Ps 7:9; Prov 24:12; Jer 11:20; 17:10; 20:12).
All people are rewarded “according to their deeds”. The sum total of the deeds of a person
flow from his/her identity:
"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn {bushes} nor figs from thistles,
are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot
produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut
down and thrown into the fire.” Mat 7:16-19 (NASB)
"For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL
THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS.” Mat 16:27 (NASB)
The exhortation
(2: 24-25)
“ But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have
not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them--I place no other burden on you.
Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come.”
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Session 6 - Revelation 2:18-29
Christ is mocking the religion of Satan when He says “the deep things of Satan, as they call
them”. The so called “deep things” of Satan are more shallow than a thin sheet of paper
when compared to the deep things of God:
"but just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD,
AND {which} HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED
FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." For to us God revealed {them} through the Spirit; for the Spirit
searches all things, even the depths of God.” 1 Cor 2:9-10 (NASB)
The true believers in Thyatira were commanded to “hold fast” to that which they “have” - that
is genuine faith as it produced the fruit in them that they were commended for.
The promise to the overcomer
(2: 26-29)
“ He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE
AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS; AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF
IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have
received {authority} from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. 'He who has an
ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'”
Satan is called the “god of this world”(2 Cor 4:4) and his agents are in place globally from
demons to men (Dan 10; Rev 9:14; 16:12). They are the source of constant attack on the
true church. This promise calls attention to the justice of God as He will exalt His Anointed
One along with those who are in Him. This will literally be accomplished when He “rules
them” (the nations) with a rod of iron (Ps 2). The most important truth of all is not what the
overcomers will be given, but Who. The overcomer is promised the “morning star” which is
Jesus (22:16).
"More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my
Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain
Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from {the} Law, but that
which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which {comes} from God on the basis of faith, that I
may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to
His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained
{it} or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid
hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of {it} yet; but one thing {I
do:} forgetting what {lies} behind and reaching forward to what {lies} ahead, I press on toward the goal
for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3:8-14 (NASB)
The prophecy of Thyatira
The history of Thaitira and the conditions of the church there portrays the medieval papacy
from 600 to 1500 A.D. The lust for power, wealth and rule on the part of the Roman state
church defined the Middle Ages. The Chaldean priest who interpreted the esoteric doctrines
of the Babylonian mysteries was called Peter (i.e. “the interpreter”). He wore an insignia of
the two keys of Janus and Cybele, which still appear on the Papal arms as symbols of spiritual
authority.
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Session 6 - Revelation 2:18-29
A contemporary author, Dave Hunt does an excellent job profiling the history of the Romanized Catholic, state church in his book “A woman rides the beast”. In a nutshell, the many
offices, institutions, doctrines, symbols and practices of the Catholic church have their origin
in the ancient Babylonian system of worship. This is the church that is truly corrupt (like
Thyatira) as history reveals and one Pope in one day killed more Christians than all of the
Roman Caesars put together. She indeed was the daughter of an unholy marriage.
Innocent III (1198-1216) was the most powerful of all the Popes. He claimed to be “Vicar of
Christ,” “Vicar of God,”“Supreme Sovereign over the Church and the World” and claimed
that “All things on earth and in heaven and in hell are subject to the Vicar of Christ.” The
kings of Germany, France, England, and practically all the monarchs in Europe obeyed his
will, including those of the Byzantine Empire. Never in history has any one man exerted more
power.
He ordered two crusades; decreed transubstantiation, confirmed auricular confession,
declared papal infallibility, condemned the Magna Carta, forbade the reading of the Bible in
the vernacular, instituted the Inquisition, ordered the extermination of heretics, etc. More
blood was shed under his direction and that of his immediate successors than in any other
period of church history (except in the Papacy’s effort to crush the Reformation in the 16th
and 17th centuries).
The Inquisition
Called “The Holy Office,” it was instituted by Pope Innocent III and perfected by Pope
Gregory IX. Under it everyone was required to inform against heretics. Anyone suspect
was liable to torture, without knowing the name of his accuser. The proceedings were
secret. The Inquisitor pronounced sentence and the victim was turned over to civil
authorities to be imprisoned for life or to be burned. The victim’s property was confiscated and divided between the church and the state. The Inquisition claimed vast multitudes of victims in Spain, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands and did its most deadly
work against the Albigenses.
- Chuck Missler Revelation commentary
The vast reaches of the affects of the church mingling with the “depths of Satan” are most
consistently seen in the history of the middle ages and serve as an incredible reminder of the
reality of this letter to the church at Thyatira, and the admonition to believers to remain
chaste from the world.
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